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Bluebird prepaid debit, now with FDIC insurance and paper checks (2013-2014)

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Old Apr 3, 2013, 11:44 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: markr33
Read the wiki before posting a question.

Check your BB load limits BEFORE asking in this thread about "tender not allowed" or any other errors.

Bluebird website. There's no need to buy a Bluebird kit in-store; sign-up free on the website.

The original FlyerTalk discussion thread is here: Wal-Mart, Amex take on banks with Bluebird debit card

Bluebird Load Limits:
  • BB loading via VR or WM load: $2,500/day and $5,000 total per calendar month
  • Online Debit Card Load* - $200/day and $1,000/month
  • Checking/Savings Account - $2,000/month
  • Checks - $2,000/day and $10,000/month
  • ATM Withdrawals - $750/day and $2,000/month

*For online debit load, only use of bank-issued cards is allowed. The use of pre-paid debit cards (Netspend, Paypower, Univision, Paypal, etc.) and VGC/MGC/AGCs is not allowed. Your account will be flagged upon first/second attempt. If blocked, call Account Protection Services at 1-800-660-2454 to clear it (9am-8pm EST, Mon-Fri).

The day currently resets around midnight Eastern/11pm Central/10pm Mountain/9pm Pacific.

For online bill pay
  • You can pay the credit card that you used to buy reloads
  • Error 1302 means that you have 1 pending payment the same amount as the one you just submitted. For example, 1000 bill pay to sapphire preferred from Friday and then on Saturday you submit another bill pay for 1000 to sapphire preferred, you will get this error.
  • Tip: if using online bill pay to the same place multiple times, vary your amounts by $0.01 to make it easier to track since your confirmation number does not match the tracking number on your credit card statement


Loading with debit card at Walmart
Self checkout does not work for loading.

Many Walmart stores are enforcing a rule against the use of gift cards when loading, even though the register and the MCE do not enforce. Do not make your prepaid debit cards visible. Show them a bank debit card if asked. Otherwise, you may be asked by management to never visit the MC again to load with gift cards.

Loads at register over $500 will sometimes trigger ID requirement. There is a limit of four swipes per transaction; this means your card plus three payments.

If your card doesn't say "debit" on the front, it isn't a debit card.

Please see http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/manuf...bit-cards.html for additional information on using prepaid debit cards.

Training a WM cashier:
  • If the WM cashier doesn't know how to load the card, advise them to enter "70" then press "action code".
  • If you are using a temp card that doesn't have your name on it, you can swipe the card from your side of the terminal. The WM rep never has to touch any of your cards. The screen will say "enter account." That is your prompt to slide the card.
  • The terminal will ask the WM employee if you are loading in multiples of $2000. Advise them to enter "no."
  • Avoid saying gift card. Always refer to your card as a debit card.

Error Messages:
DEBIT NOT AVAILABLE
Received when I used a card I thought I had activated but hadn't.

DEBIT NOT APPROVED
Received when the card's monthly load limit had been reached.

TENDER NOT ALLOWED
Card was incorrectly read, or wrong PIN entered .

HOST TIMEOUT
Connection problems. The GC may be drained but the transaction should reverse itself, and funds will become available again. Try again later.

UPdate Notice on Sept 15, 2014.
Some minor changes on the ATM limits and fees:
• Out-of-Network ATM Fees:
Beginning October 30, 2014, the fee for withdrawing funds using out-of-network ATMs will increase from $2.00 to $2.50. ATM operator fees may also apply.
• Free In-Network MoneyPassŽ ATMs:
Effective immediately, all Bluebird Customers can withdraw funds for free when using in-network MoneyPass ATMs. You can find one of the more than 24,000 MoneyPass ATMs below.
• ATM Withdrawal Limits Increase:
We have increased your daily ATM limit, so you can withdraw up to $750 per day. Your monthly ATM withdrawal limit will remain at $2,000.

-----

•If you use Wal-Mart Savings Catcher, you can earn double rewards by redeeming to your BlueBird account <== Doubling of savings catcher amounts ended sometime in the summer of 2015.
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Bluebird prepaid debit, now with FDIC insurance and paper checks (2013-2014)

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Old Oct 30, 2014, 11:47 am
  #6811  
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 48
MC probs

maybe it could be a wonky 2-days but my MC GC (US bank - mygiftcardsite) aren't loading to BB at WM. Didn't work last night and didn't work today. I know MC should be shunned but it's all I can get at my local grocery store and I wonder if the process changed or if now US-bank issued GCs are blocked like OV
DarrellDoesDallas is offline  
Old Oct 31, 2014, 5:47 am
  #6812  
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 329
Originally Posted by hamokmonky
Quote:
Originally Posted by mxhjustin
Why not ask for splitting the payment. Tell cashier you want to load 300 and use 3 cards, 100 for each. Done with 2 cashiers.

REALLY?? REALLY??

I am assuming that this is not possible and we have to one transaction per GC...correct?
poisonsag is offline  
Old Oct 31, 2014, 6:18 am
  #6813  
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,207
Originally Posted by poisonsag
I am assuming that this is not possible and we have to one transaction per GC...correct?
You are completely missing the point. The bolded portion is telling you how to split payment, and then it was quoted in asking how to do it....
hamokmonky is offline  
Old Nov 2, 2014, 6:46 am
  #6814  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: USairways, Marriot, Hyatt, Hilton, Rapid Rewards
Posts: 36
I just got back from Walmart. Was able to load Metabank VGC's onto my GoBank account, but no such luck on my Bluebird. I got the statement, tender not allowed.
Wisemas is offline  
Old Nov 2, 2014, 7:33 am
  #6815  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 49
Safest way to liquidate loaded Bluebird?

Hello,
I've been successfully loading BB at WM w/ VGC and MGCs. I'm thinking the easiest way to liquidate BB is to link it to my checking account and do a funds withdrawal. Will this method put me at greater risk of being flagged / shutdown or is it a safe way to liquidate BB? I ask because some have suggested only using Bill-Pay. Please advise on the pros and cons if any. Thanks!
tilleyd is offline  
Old Nov 2, 2014, 9:38 am
  #6816  
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Originally Posted by tilleyd
Hello,
I've been successfully loading BB at WM w/ VGC and MGCs. I'm thinking the easiest way to liquidate BB is to link it to my checking account and do a funds withdrawal. Will this method put me at greater risk of being flagged / shutdown or is it a safe way to liquidate BB? I ask because some have suggested only using Bill-Pay. Please advise on the pros and cons if any. Thanks!
Why is this is the easiest ? Why not just pay the CC with you BB? Have you READ this thread to FULLY understand how to use BB?
FlightNurse is offline  
Old Nov 2, 2014, 10:45 am
  #6817  
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 2,842
I loaded BB at a WM customer service desk today (it was just cash, no GC) and the email confirmation read "The money you wanted to load from your American Express Serve reload to your Bluebird account was deposited." I thought that was a little strange, I don't have Serve. It looks like some people have reported this type of message off/on for a while.
nova08 is offline  
Old Nov 3, 2014, 5:46 am
  #6818  
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Join Date: Sep 2007
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Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 15,206
Originally Posted by Wisemas
I just got back from Walmart. Was able to load Metabank VGC's onto my GoBank account, but no such luck on my Bluebird. I got the statement, tender not allowed.

Any more details (location etc)? Anyone else have issues loading today?
rylan is offline  
Old Nov 3, 2014, 10:33 am
  #6819  
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Programs: USairways, Marriot, Hyatt, Hilton, Rapid Rewards
Posts: 36
[QUOTE=rylan;23782985]Any more details (location etc)? Anyone else have issues loading today?[/QUOTE

In East Norriton, PA. This was the first time I had trouble loading BB. Hopefully it's the last. I'm going to try again tomorrow morning. Will keep you posted.
Wisemas is offline  
Old Nov 3, 2014, 11:39 am
  #6820  
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Programs: DL DM 2MM, Marriott LT Titanium, Hertz PC, Avis PC
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Have you hit your daily or monthly load limit? That will also trigger the 'tender not allowed' error.
rylan is offline  
Old Nov 3, 2014, 11:43 am
  #6821  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 49
I loaded $400 to BB just fine on 11/2/2014 at a Rochester, MN Walmart. I went to a cashier and handed her two VISA Meta Bank debit cards purchased from an office supply store. No issues whatsoever.
tilleyd is offline  
Old Nov 3, 2014, 1:04 pm
  #6822  
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: FLL / BKK
Posts: 703
Originally Posted by tilleyd
I loaded $400 to BB just fine on 11/2/2014 at a Rochester, MN Walmart. I went to a cashier and handed her two VISA Meta Bank debit cards purchased from an office supply store. No issues whatsoever.
Brilliant!
EVA777 is offline  
Old Nov 3, 2014, 2:19 pm
  #6823  
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 49
I just loaded $600 (3-$200 MC debit cards) at the WMT Bluebird ATM Kiosk in Rochester, MN. Again pleased to report no issues whatsoever.

My concerns are on the "load" side of the equation. I'm worried Chase might start flagging / questioning my bulk gift card purchases from OfficeMax and Staples and then shut-down my Ink Plus!!! Anyone else have this fear?

Last edited by tilleyd; Nov 3, 2014 at 4:52 pm
tilleyd is offline  
Old Nov 3, 2014, 3:59 pm
  #6824  
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 45
Hey all -

Just loaded 5, $500 MB VGC to BB using Kate in NJ (within the last 30 min) No issues, so hopefully that's a positive data point... Something I did notice interesting however was in the confirmation email. Both done with same BB, same Kate, same WM, same type of VGC.

Normally (last time was late October),
Subject: Your Bluebird POS Reload was Successful
Email: The money you wanted to load from your Bluebird POS Reload to your Bluebird Account was deposited.
From: Bluebird POS Relod

Today,
Subject: Your American Express ServeŽ Reload was Successful
Email: The money you wanted to load from your American Express ServeŽ Reload to your Bluebird Account was deposited.
From: American Express ServeŽ Reload

Haven't done a search to see if anyone else reported this, so forgive me if I'm repeating information. Seems odd though, maybe some system upgrade was causing denials? Maybe all BBs are being updated to Serve?

Last edited by jimmicka; Nov 3, 2014 at 5:32 pm
jimmicka is offline  
Old Nov 3, 2014, 5:00 pm
  #6825  
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No issues loading MB cards to BB at WM a couple hours ago.
rylan is offline  


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